First climbed Harney when I was 7 years old. Usually climb Harney about once a month or so. Have summited from Willow Creek, Sylvan Lake, Little Devils Tower, up the east from Iron Mountain Road and straight up the west side, off the trail. Favorite time to climb is in Feburary. All three main trailheads closed for 2009-2010 winter due to pine beetles.

I was working for the Forest Service in Sundance WY and thought it would be fun to hike to the top of SD..... I don't remember much, but I think I have pictures somewhere. Maybe I'll scan and post one day!

Took the trail up from Sylvan Lake and topped out without too much trouble. I had broken my leg 3 months earlier so I wasn't sure how I would do going up but was far enough into recovery that I made it without too much difficulty. Awesome views!

I've probably climbed this 3-4 times since I was young and it never gets boring. I'm most familiar with the Sylvan Lake trail, but I'm planning on doing the Willow Creek horse Camp trail this fall and also a early morning hike to catch the sunrise on the summit. Just a few items on my South Dakota To-do-list!

I hiked up the Sylvan Lake Trail with fellow CMCers Karen, Jason and Al. Harney Peak is a very scenic and enjoyable hike. This is my 29th state HP and the first of three during this trip. We clmbed Granite Peak next and then White Butte.

We took a day after visiting my parents-in-law near Sioux City, to drive across S. Dakota to visit a friend and my sister-in-law in Rapid City, and spend the night there before driving home to Salt Lake. On the way we managed to visit my father-in-law's paleontology lab in Vermillion, drive the Badlands loop, and meet a friend for a late lunch in Rapid City, and finished the day with a spontaneous sundown hike of Harney Peak. I'm really glad I was able to squeeze in the chance to see the Black Hills on foot.

We hiked up the lightly traveled trail 4 from Sylvan Lake, stopping near the Cathedral Spires on the way up to climb some smaller rock formations. While enjoying the summit views, we were surprised to see a mountain goat near the summit. On the return hike, we took the spur trail to the top of Little Devil's Tower. This is a beautiful area. HP22

This was my first high-pointer west of the Mississippi, in the first couple weeks of a 3 1/2 month cross-country trip! Great short hike, great views, great area! Custer is one of my favorite state parks.

Drove into Hill City from KC the night before climbing Harney. That was a 12-hour trip in cold rain, but by the time I hit the Sylvan Lake Trail, it was shaping up to be a beautiful clear day in the high 50s. Trail was snow-packed and icy as I went up, and a slushy, muddy mess on the descent. Great views all around!

I climbed this on what felt like the hottest day of the year in the Black Hills NF. Temperatures were in the high 90s most of the way, and after a week of doing 14ers in CO that was extremely hot for me. Because I did not want to pay to park to do this hike, I chose to drive to the northern trailhead and park for free. It also added a little mileage to the hike. The northern route really is a hike, not a climb. I don't remember most of the specifics, but if I did I would write up a route description. The trail is long and meandering, often losing and regaining elevation needlessly. It also has some impressive views of the needles and Black Elk Wilderness along the way. Because of the length, you won't see many other people. The summit approach is more or less the same as the standard southern route. That poor goat on top did not appear to be enjoying the heat.